Do I need to pre-drill for these timber screws?
In most timber, no. The 25 degree sharp point with a single slash starts and cuts on its own, so you can drive straight in. In very hard or dense timber, or close to an edge, a small pilot hole is still sensible to keep the wood from splitting.
What size socket do these screws take?
They use a 13mm socket on the external hex head. A socket driver is included in the box, so you can fit them with an impact driver or a drill. There's no bit to strip out like you'd get with a recessed drive.
How do these compare to a traditional coach screw?
They do the same structural job but go in faster. A coach screw usually needs a drilled clearance hole first. These drive straight into most timber with no pilot hole, and the fixed flange washer means you don't fit a separate one. You still get the strength and pull-out resistance you'd expect from a coach screw.
Why silver and not the green finish?
The silver is an exterior organic coating rated to 1,000 hours salt spray, at corrosion rating 3. It's matched to the heavy duty 10.0mm structural range. The green coated screws are the landscaping and timber frame sizes. Same TIMCO quality, different part of the range.
Are these screws suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. The exterior silver organic finish and corrosion rating 3 mean they're made for outside work, such as posts, decking frames, sleepers and landscaping. They meet BS EN 14592:2008 for structural timber fasteners.
Can I use these to fix into railway sleepers?
Yes. The 10.0mm shank and deep single thread give the grip needed for sleepers and heavy timber. For seasoned or very hard sleepers, drill a short pilot hole first to make driving easier and protect the timber.
